Women pensioners urged to check if they are owed payments

Tens of thousands of women have potentially been underpaid their state pension, according to research by LCP

The State Pension is intended to support people who have left the workforce, after years of hard work and National Insurance contributions. The sums people are entitled to will vary based on these contributions, but the full new state pension amount stands at £175.20 per week. It is, however, worth noting the government states: You may get less than the new full state pension if you were contracted before April 6, 2016.

There has, however, been a revelation in recent months which will affect some women, and taking action this New Year is key.

Research undertaken by the firm Lane, Clark and Peacock (LCP) has shown tens of thousands of women have potentially been underpaid their state pension.

Women are now being urged to check their state pension sum, as complex rules could mean some have missed out.

Under old state pension system rules, married women were able to claim a basic state pension sum at 60 percent of the full rate based on the National Insurance contributions made by their husband.

However, some women have conveyed they did not receive a letter to let them know about the issue, and have therefore been affected by underpayment.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is now checking its records to determine which women have been affected by the matter.

It has urged women to come forward and contact the government if they believe themselves to have been affected.

The report by LCP, has also encouraged women to take action immediately to claim the sum to which they are entitled.

In most instances, women have been paid the amount to which they are entitled, but there have been some discrepancies.

Back in 2020, Peter Schofield, the permanent secretary at the DWP told the Work and Pensions Select Committee 11,000 cases have been received.